PHOTO: Dejan Lovren in Liverpool shirt as defender finally signs

Brendan Rodgers has finally managed to capture his prime defensive target after signing Croatian international defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton, their third signing from the Saints this summer. And the player wasted no time in getting the famous Liverpool colours on and discussing his joy at signing for "one of the biggest clubs in football history."

Despite the disappointing transfer news coming out today that Loic Remy failed his medical and will not sign for Liverpool, the Croatian's switch has put an end to another of the summer's longest running transfer sagas.

The 25-year-old had told Croatian media some weeks ago that "his head was already at Liverpool" amidst interest from the Anfield club, citing disappointment in the way things were going at Southampton and surprise that the club didn't notify him of a bid from the Reds.

What followed was several weeks of uncertainty for the player, who returned from the World Cup in Brazil and went out on Southampton's tour of of Belgium, with the likelihood of a move toing and froing.

New Saints boss Ronald Koeman had earlier discussed his interest in keeping the former Lyon man at St Mary's while admitting that every player has his price.

And it appears that price is around the £20 million mark Brendan Rodgers is said to have spent on Lovren, with the defender now set to join a squad that had issues leaking goals last season. It is likely he will line up alongside Slovakian centre back Martin Skrtel in the middle of defence.

Che Thomas

Che is an Englishman abroad unable to cut the apron strings tying him to the crazy world of English football. As a writer and freelance journalist, he has covered matches and cultural events from across the globe all with the intention to inform, entertain and provoke debate. Just as smitten with music, film, and photography, though fully aware of the fact that nothing takes the place of that Saturday afternoon excitement down at N17 (even when it's actually on a Sunday!)